Medication Storage and Dispensing Apparatus Having Linear Drawer Assembly Including Discrete Storage Modules

1. A medication storage and dispensing workstation for use in a medication management system administering the inventory and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in a healthcare environment comprising: a linear drawer assembly having a plurality of discrete, removable, storage modules for containing medications and/or other medical supplies; wherein the storage modules are arranged in a linear array extending longitudinally along the travel path of the linear drawer assembly; and wherein each storage module comprises a drawer that is extensible laterally relative to the linear arrangement of the storage modules.

2. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 1 , wherein the storage modules are individually removable from the linear drawer assembly.

3. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 1 further comprising: a control computer; and a workstation network system comprising a workstation controller, at least one tier controller, at least one in-drawer controller, and a plurality of storage module controllers; wherein the workstation controller is in communication with the tier controller; wherein the tier controller is in communication with the in-drawer controller and a linear drawer latch mechanism associated with the linear drawer assembly; and wherein the in-drawer controller is in communication with a plurality of storage module controllers.

4. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 1 , wherein said linear drawer assembly is removably connected to said workstation via a two-stage lock.

5. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of storage modules are removably secured to said linear drawer assembly via a two-stage lock.

6. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 3 , wherein each said storage module has a unique identifier.

7. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 6 , wherein each said storage module is identified by a said unique identifier to determine a particular storage module.

8. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 7 , wherein said linear assembly opens to allow access to said particular storage module.